Meet Foster-to-Adopt Esme (nee Laurie)

Meet Esme Weatherwax (nee Laurie*).  She is a foster-to-adopt kitty and when I met her, she was withdrawn and acted like she was sick.  The shelter thought she was severely depressed.  I wasn't too sure but fostering is a great option.  This is hour 8 and so far - doesn't look too depressed.  I think Esme is WINNING. (PS she's sleeping.  when I first met her, she was not facing people and hiding.  I think sleeping on the couch after a good meal is a big step)

*who names these cats?  I mean, Laurie?  Boo Radley's original name was Kyle.  These are names of neighbors, not cats.  Mr. Twinkle Puffy Pants - now THAT is a good name!  :)

darth vader without the helmet look-alike

I went to the doc today for my neck, which still hurts.  They gave me several options to consider and more meds :)  AND a neck brace for when I am doing activities which might stress my neck, such as sitting at a computer.  When I first saw this I thought, it looks like something from Star Wars.  And then I put it on.  And I looked like Darth Vader, without his helmet.  You know the scene - when he is dying and letting Luke know that he couldn't kill him?  What a father.

My monkey on the monkey bars

Look at this kid!  My nephew is a strong little brick of a kid.  And yes, I have plans for him to be in the Olympics - gymnastics of course.

All gifts are welcome - the explanation

I send out a weekly horoscope email* (horoscopes by the renown Rob Brezsny whose column is "Free Will Astrology" and can also be found here).  The beginning of the email includes some of my belly gazing thoughts.  This week however I got an email from Frannie who didn't understand the subject line or my musings.

Well, it was really obtuse and not understandable, which is what I wanted.

The subject line was:  All gifts are welcome.

This refers to a present I got from my house cleaner (whose work is not a luxury - a necessity.  I would rather pay my house cleaner than eat).  I believe she got it for me to feel better about Boo's passing.  And the gift is really touching.  And they ROCK.

They are earrings - hoop earrings to be exact.

One side of the image is:


The other side of the image is:


Transition shot:


Awesomeness.  So as the subject line explains:  All gifts are welcome.

__________________________________

The other thing I wrote was just a single word at the beginning of the email:  dirigible.

I was listening to a The Decemberists' song and they used the word "dirigible."  Now that's a word that doesn't get used very often and it is really fun to say.  Dirigible.  Dir-i-juh-buhl.  Try it.

This image comes from the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (1890-1907). The copyrights for that book have expired and this image is in the public domain.

*If you want to be added to my horoscope email, let me know.

Apple iTunes gives me back my audiobook

Because I explained that I stupidly erased the file, they were VERY nice about it and let me repurchase the audiobook and they will reimburse me for the total cost.  Which is fine by me.

I still don't think it is right that I can't download my own stuff.  And now they don't offer CDs for most audiobooks.  HARRIBLE.

Apple and iTunes are fixing the problem

 Squeaky wheel does get the cheese.

Apple and iTunes are bastards

I can't find an audiobook on iTunes so I requested getting a link to re-download and this is the response:

Dear Michelle,

Greetings from iTunes Store Customer Support. My name is NAME.

I understand that you would like to re download an audiobook "I Shall Wear Midnight " that you purchased previously. I am sure you are anxious at this time and I would be glad to help you on this matter.

Michelle, I've reviewed your account and I see that two re grants already been placed on your account and also this content you reported is now too old so that I can have an option to re post this item for you. Please accept my kind apologies on this matter. I wouldn't be able to assist further to get this item back on your account.

Again I apologize for the limited assistance that I could provide you on this matter. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Thank you for you interest in iTunes Store. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

NAME
iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/

I work Sunday, Monday and Thursday to Saturday, 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM CST.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you.


WTH???  I can't access material I purchased because it is old?  What? I am buying from Amazon from now on.  I don't need this bullshit.


If he is so glad to help me on this matter, then why can't he actually help?  


Apple and iTunes SUCK.  

Mongolian spots are REAL

I told someone recently about Mongolian spots and they didn't believe me.  The fable is that Genghis Khan traveled around and he and his people intermingled with various cultures.  Who knows what the real story is, but the end (har) result is that babies from those cultures are born with this bluish birthmark which does fade over time.  It shocked me when I first saw one but now when I see a Korean baby's bottom (and it doesn't happen often so don't call the police), the blue mark is there.

Wikipedia says:

"A Mongolian spot, also known as "Mongolian blue spot", "congenital dermal melanocytosis",^[1] and "dermal melanocytosis"^[1] is abenign, flat, congenital birthmark with wavy borders and irregular shape, discovered on and named after Mongolians by Erwin Bälz.^[2][3]It is also extremely prevalent among East Asians, South-East Asians, South Asians, Polynesians, Native Americans, and East Africans.^[4][5] It normally disappears three to five years after birth and almost always by puberty.^[6] The most common color is blue, although they can be blue-gray, blue-black or even deep brown."

A Rainbow for Boo Radley

While on my way to say goodbye, a rainbow popped up, for Boo.

Boo got sicker and sicker and went downhill pretty rapidly today.  They called me from the hospital to hurry down to say goodbye and I'm glad I got there in time to do so.  He was seriously the most chill and loving cat ever.  I may have only had a short time with him but I cherish every moment we spent.

Boo, wherever you are, know I miss you and will love you always.

Boo Radley Park

Sept. 30, 2002 - June 7, 2012

new socks

rain like cats and dogs

stubbornly wore my sandals

feet were cold, bought socks

Boo not feeling well, just like his momma

Last week Boo seemed normal (see him below burying head into me while kneading my side).  But he slowly went off his feed.



And was sleeping too much.



So I took him to the hospital (peering out of his crate, wondering what the XXXX is going on).


I wasn't very happy either.


This adorable pit wasn't happy either.  But she was so sweet.


And this terrier was like - what? it wasn't me.


So we changed Boo's meds and I brought him home.  But he still wasn't feeling well.  So I brought him back to the hospital where he has been staying for the last couple days.  All tests are normal so they think it just might be a virus/upper respiratory infection coupled with an episode of his IBD.





So send good vibes to Boo Radley :)  sweetheart needs to catch a break.